Ill-considered undercover trick badly backfires

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/11/2024 (687 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I’m recently divorced and the man I’ve been dating asked me to go to a singles dance the weekend before Halloween. I thought I would pull a prank on him by telling him at the last minute I wasn’t feeling well, and then surprise him at the event in a masked costume to see if he recognized me.

So I arrived all dressed up and hidden behind my mask. I found a good spot and had a few strong cocktails while waiting to surprise him.

He arrived all right, dressed as an old-fashioned prince, like something out of The Sound of Music. But he came through the door with a princess on his arm. I just kept drinking and watching, but when he finally stopped dancing and kissed the princess in his arms, I lost it.

I pushed through the dancers and dumped my drink over his head. Some security guys ran up, ushered me out and put me in a cab.

Now, my dubious “boyfriend” is calling like crazy and offering his apologies in voice messages. Should I return his calls?

— Still Furious, Osborne Village

Dear Furious: It was a classless move to tell your new man you couldn’t go with him at the last minute and then show up in costume to trick him.

To make matters worse, you were tipsy and dumped a cocktail over his head because he found another date last-minute and kissed her on the dance floor. Perhaps that kiss was just part of portraying Capt. von Trapp from the movie.

Too bad for you. Some might argue you’re perfectly suited to a guy who behaves impulsively, like you do. You might want to call this man you’ve rebuffed and try to make peace with him. Maybe you two can do some serious talking and work things out.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My family is new to Canada and we have never lived in a snowy climate before. I’m very excited about the first big snowfall and all the snow forts, snowmen and ice-skating that are to come.

The older people in my family are scared of the snow, especially my grandparents who think they might fall and hurt themselves on the ice, or even disappear into a snowbank.

So how can I plan ahead and make a Canadian winter less scary for my family? What should we buy to be safe, and where? Is it going to cost a lot?

— Oldest Grandson, West End

Dear Grandson: The good news is you don’t have to buy everything new. Thrift shops are stocked daily and sell everything at reasonable prices. Second-hand shops are well-used by Canadians from all different financial strata, so don’t be the least bit embarrassed to shop there first.

Try to get the family equipped before the first snow comes, which will likely be very soon. Snow boots with grippy soles and wool socks are most important, as feet tend to freeze first.

Winter jackets with hoods, wool hats, scarves and ski pants are needed for all ages, as are several good pairs of mitts and gloves, so they can properly dry out before wearing them again.

Some people even like to wear sunglasses when the sun is strong and reflects back off the white snow. The added advantage? You look cool.

Please send your questions to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

   Read full biography